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Do you know the dangers of workplace vibration? How to avoid long-term effects?
In today's work environment, workplace vibration has become an issue that requires urgent attention. Whole body vibration (WBV) is the process by which mechanical vibrations are transmitted to the human body. The source of such vibrations can be the driver's seat, a moving train platform, a power tool, or other similar equipment. Although these vibrations are common in daily life, long-term exposure to high-frequency vibrations, especially in work environments, may pose potential risks to health.
Research shows that long-term exposure to whole-body vibration can lead to a variety of musculoskeletal problems, particularly among workers operating heavy equipment, including in fields such as construction, forestry, agriculture and trucking.
Dangers of vibration
Human sensitivity to mechanical vibrations ranges from less than 1 Hz to as high as 100 kHz. Low-frequency vibrations often cause dizziness, while high-frequency vibrations may cause general discomfort and irritability. Especially in medical transportation, jolting may cause more discomfort to injured patients and even affect the recovery progress.
Regarding vibration safety standards, ISO 2631-1 describes in detail the exposure limits for whole-body vibration, while ISO 5349-1 estimates the limits of vibration transmitted by the hands.
Exposure in the workplace
According to research, workers who work in a vibrating environment for a long time, especially those who stand or sit for a long time, are prone to cervical spine and lower back pain. This is especially true for drivers who drive public transportation and workers who operate machinery for a long time. Farmers and other workers who are permanently exposed to vibration have an increased incidence of back pain than those who are not exposed to vibration, and the incidence rate increases as the dose of vibration increases.
The impact of vibration on health is related to the vibration frequency, amplitude, daily contact time, the operator's posture and the closeness of the connection with the vibration source. Many factors increase workers' occupational exposure, and in the face of these trends, it is important to understand how to reduce the number and duration of exposures.
Occupational safety research shows that once exposed to whole-body vibration for too long, the damage will gradually increase, leading to an increased risk of spinal degeneration and chronic low back pain.
How to reduce shock exposure
Measures to reduce shock exposure in the workplace can be divided into several aspects. First, improving the work environment and equipment and using shock-absorbing machinery may help reduce exposure. For example, well-equipped seats and support devices can reduce the impact on the human body by dispersing the intensity of vibrations.
Second, strengthen education and training for workers so that they understand the dangers of vibration and appropriate preventive measures. For example, taking regular breaks and changing working positions can help reduce injuries caused by prolonged vibration.
Furthermore, implementing procedures for monitoring and assessing vibration levels can help companies understand whether there is vibration in their operating environment that poses a threat to employee health.
Occupational health experts recommend that vibration equipment should be inspected regularly and necessary maintenance measures taken to ensure that its operation does not cause any potential harm to workers.
Vibration during patient transportation
In medical settings, injured patients may also be exposed to vibration during transportation, which may adversely affect the patient's injury. Professional transportation can reduce the damage caused by these vibrations to a certain extent by limiting the patient's movement, but different modes of transportation, such as ground ambulances or air medical services, have huge differences in the degree and frequency of vibrations.
Measurement and Monitoring
It is important to use accelerometers to measure the body's shock exposure levels. By collecting various data on the human body or the surface of the vibration source, combined with directional measurements, we can further understand the impact of vibration on the human body. International standards exist to regulate these measurement techniques to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data.
The benefits of vibration training
It is worth noting that whole body vibration is also used in fitness and training. Vibration training, also called vibration therapy, applies mechanical stimulation to the human body through different frequencies and amplitudes, which may have a positive impact on health. Related studies have shown that vibration training can improve spinal bone density in some people, especially women in menopause.
However, some studies have also pointed out that vibration training may not have a significant impact on the performance of professional athletes, and there is insufficient evidence for the functional performance of certain diseases.
Although vibration training has shown positive effects in some studies, its benefits for people with specific diseases or health problems still need further exploration and validation.
As awareness of the hazards of shock increases, businesses and individuals alike need to take action to reduce the long-term effects of shock. Have you ever thought about how to deal with vibration problems more effectively in the workplace to protect the health and safety of every working partner around you?
